"I see the drift of your question," answered Mr Dunnage; "but I do not think that, foolhardy as Delano may be, he would have ventured to offer for sale articles which had been shipped from this, and would be so easily recognised. No; all that we can hope to prove without a doubt is, that the _William_ is the brig which plundered the _Helen_; and we must then take means to find out, without delay, what has become of her, and to put a stop to her career. Stay; let me consider what is best to be done. The Admiral will, I am sure, gladly send all the men-of-war that can be spared to look out for her." "I have thought of that already," said Mr Vernon; "but, my dear sir, I suspect that such would not be the best way to capture the pirate crew. They would very likely hear of our being on the search for them, or would become suspicious at the sight of a man-of-war, and contrive to make their escape. We shall require to use great caution to get hold of so clever a fellow as Delano is described to be. I would propose rather to fit out a small merchantman, a xebeque or schooner, and to man her with men-of-war's men. We may, in a craft of that description, be able to get alongside the _William_, unsuspected, and to capture her without loss of life." "A capital idea," exclaimed Mr Dunnage. "I have a craft in my eye, which I think you will consider suitable for the object; and I am certain the merchants here will gladly defray all expenses." So the matter was settled; and as neither Mr Dunnage nor my lieutenant were men who would allow the anchor to block up Mr Neptune's cottage door for many days together, we immediately set off to have a look of the vessel proposed. She was a small schooner, the _Thisbe_,--most vessels in the Mediterranean have classical names; and the result of the examination was the opinion that she was well suited for the purpose. "Now, my dear lieutenant," said Mr Dunnage, "do you go on board and beat up for a crew. I will run round to the merchants to get them to share the expenses. By this evening she shall have her stores on board and be ready for sea. Don't suppose I'm bragging. Where there is a will there is a way."